ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
C. R. Chaudhary Attends 6th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting in Singapore
The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution C. R. Chaudhary, attended the 6th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting  in Singapore on 12-13 October, 2018. The Ministers from 16 RCEP countries met in Singapore to discuss a modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among ASEAN and ASEAN's FTA partners.
The Ministers reviewed developments since the 6th RCEP Ministerial Meeting held on 30-31st August, 2018 in Singapore, which was attended by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu. They welcomed the intensification of market negotiations. While appreciating some narrowing of gaps, the Ministers urged all RECP Participating Countries to continue to exert all efforts towards meeting the targets set in the Package of Year End Deliverables.
C. R. Chaudhary held bilateral meetings, on the side lines of 6th RCEP IMM, with Trade Minister of Singapore, Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism & Investment of Australia, Minister of Trade & Export Growth of New Zealand and Vice Minister of China, Wang Shouwen. Singapore sought India's help in early conclusion of RCEP negotiations. Next round meeting of Trade Negotiating Committee  is scheduled to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, later this month.
Special Service and Features
Deen Dayal Sparsh Scholarship
The Postal Department has developed and implemented the 'Deen Dayal Sparsh Scholarship' to promote Philately among school students.
The scholarship targets cultivating an interest in philately among students from an early age while encouraging and strengthening their studies.
Children studying from Class VI to IX who have secured 60% or above marks or an equivalent grade and have a philatelic deposit account or philatelic club membership and find philately as a hobby can get this scholarship of Rs 6000/- per year on the basis of their performance in the two stages listed below.
First phase: The philately quiz conducted at the divisional level
Second phase: The philately project submitted by the winners in the first phase.
Students can apply for the scholarship this year now itself. The last date for receiving the applications at the address, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Ernakulam-682011, is 05.09.2023.
The first phase quiz will be held in September 2023. For details, contact the nearest post office or call phone: 0484-2355336. Mobile: +91 94958 96064.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of noted cartoonist Shri Narayan Debnath Ji
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of noted cartoonist Shri Narayan Debnath Ji.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Shri Narayan Debnath Ji brightened several lives through his works, cartoons and illustrations. His works reflected his intellectual prowess. The characters he created will remain eternally popular. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Welfare of Anganwadi and Asha Workers
Government has issued directions to all States/UTs to make all possible arrangements for providing safety tools like masks and sanitizers etc. to Anganwadi Workers, Anganwadi Helpers and ASHAs in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Anganwadi Workers /Anganwadi Helpers  have been covered under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  and Anganwadi Karyakarti Bima Yojana . They have also been provided Female Critical Illness benefits of ₹ 20,000/- on diagnosis of identified illness and scholarships for their children studying in 9th Std. to 12th Std. including ITI courses. ASHA workers have been granted an additional incentive of Rs.1000/- per month in view of their significant contribution towards Covid-19 pandemic related work. Further, an incentive of Rs. 2000 has been directed to be paid in full without any deduction given the tremendous efforts made by ASHA at the field level during COVID-19 period. Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, Insurance Scheme has been introduced for all health workers, including ASHAs. This insurance scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh in case of loss of life due to COVID 19 pandemic or else due to accident on account of COVID related duty.
Anganwadi Worker/Helpers are “honorary workers” from the local community who come forward to render their services on part time basis in the area of child care and development. Honorary workers, as such, cannot be declared permanent government servants nor can be given any civil post.
Anganwadi Workers  & Anganwadi Helpers  are paid a monthly honoraria as decided by the Government from time to time. Government of India has enhanced the honorarium of AWWs at main-AWCs from ₹3,000/- to ₹4,500/- per month; AWWs at mini- AWCs from ₹2,250/- to ₹3,500/- per month; AWHs from ₹1,500/- to ₹2,250/- per month. In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/honorarium to these functionaries from their own resources.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
It is satisfying to see a lot of improvement in the health infrastructure even in the remote areas of the country: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that he is happy to see the a lot of improvement in the health infrastructure even in the remote areas of the country.
In response to a tweet thread by Dr Nishikant Dubey, MP from Godda Constituency, Jharkhand, where he elaborated the revolution in the field of healthcare in AIIMS Deoghar launched by Prime Minister, Shri Modi tweeted;
“आज के वेबिनार में मैंने स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्र की प्रगति के बारे में बात की थी। यह देखना संतोषप्रद है कि देश के दूरदराज के इलाकों में भी हेल्थ इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर में काफी सुधार आया है और यह भी उसी का एक उदाहरण है।”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crossed 63 Cr landmark
More than 73 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 97.53%
45,083 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload is 1.13% of Total Cases
Daily Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 34 days
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage has crossed the 63 Crore landmark yesterday. With the administration of 73,85,866vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has surpassed the cumulative figure of 63.09Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 67,80,301sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 8 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,57,335
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
83,48,055
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,18,644
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,30,57,806
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
24,22,90,397
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,60,65,825
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,89,66,672
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,31,54,542
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
8,60,95,654
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4,42,62,997
|
|
Total
|
|
63,09,17,927
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
The recovery of35,840patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,18,88,642.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.53%.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 63 consecutive days now.
45,083new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently3,68,558. Active cases presently constitute 1.13% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 17,55,327tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 51.86 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 2.28% remains less than 3% for the last 65 days now. The Daily Positivity rate stands at 2.57%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for the last 34 days and below 5% for 83 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Shri Suresh Prabhu reviews the progress of ongoing works at Coimbatore Airport
Directs officials to expedite the completion of these works so as to reduce the congestion at the Airport
Says that he will take up the additional land allotment matter with the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu
On receiving complaints about the congestion at Coimbatore Airport, the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Suresh Prabhu reviewed the progress of ongoing works at Coimbatore Airport. The Minister was apprised that the AAI has undertaken following works within available land to meet growing passenger demand and all the works are at different stages of completion:
1. New Departure block @ a cost of Rs.180 Cr
2. Additional apron 5 bays @ a cost of Rs.30 Cr.
3. Densification of residential colony @ a cost of Rs.49 cr.
The Minister directed the officials to expedite the completion of the pending works at the earliest and make available the above facilities to the passengers in order to reduce the congestion. The officials brought to the notice of Shri Prabhu that AAI has requested the Tamilnadu Government for the allotment of an additional land of 468 acres for terminal development across runway. Shri Prabhu told them that he will take up this matter with the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.
Ministry of Defence
MOD, in coordination with Army HQ, devises standardised protocol for closure of roads in Cantonments
The issue of closure of roads in Cantonments was an important matter raised during the meeting taken by Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman with Members of the Parliament and elected Vice Presidents of the 62 Cantonment Boards on May 04, 2018.
Based on the feedback received through the meeting, Smt Sitharaman held several rounds of discussions on the issue of closure of roads in cantonments. Following detailed reviews taken by the Raksha Mantri with officers of the Ministry, Army Headquarters including Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Estates Organisation the following was decided:
- In case of roads, which the Local Military Authorities consider necessary for reasons to be provided, the process of closure of roads may be initiated. Due process as laid down under Cantonment Act, 2006 and the orders issued by the Ministry dated May 28, 2018 will be followed.
- The Ministry in coordination with Army Headquarters has devised a standardised protocol for closure of roads in Cantonments, in conformity with the provisions of the Cantonments Act, 2006. Emergent security needs of the Army have been duly taken cognisance of while devising the standard protocol to enable closure of roads in such circumstances.
SRR/NAo/Nampi/DK/Rajib
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Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Ministry sanctions Spiritual Circuit of Rs. 85.23 Crore in Kerala;
New Circuit to cover 133 religious sites in 14 districts of the state: Shri K J Alphons
Union Minister of State  for Tourism, Shri K J Alphons announced that the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned projects worth Rs.85.23 crore for the development of Spiritual Circuit III for Kerala under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram today, the Minister said that the sites identified under the circuit are spread across all 14 districts of the state and cover 133 religious places. He said the districts where the projects would be implemented are : Kasargode, Wayand, Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamhitta, Kollam and Thiruvanathapuram .
The Minister said the destinations have been selected keeping in view the inherent historic, cultural and religious significance of the places. The development works include Community hall, Annadhana Mandapam, Multipurpose hall, toilets, cafeteria, parking facilities, landscaping, pathways, illuminations, signages, dustbins etc. The Circuit covers religious sites all across the state from Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple in the northernmost district of Kasargode to the Madre De Deus Church in Thiruvanathapuram, the southernmost district. The Circuit will cover several historical religious sites across the state like the Cheraman Jumah Masjid , Koodalmanikyam temple , St. Thomas Church , Thriparayar Sreerama Temple  etc. In reply to a question, Shri. Alphons said that the sites have been identified after elaborate study and discussions with all stakeholders. He pointed out that sixty per cent of domestic tourism is related to spiritual circuits.
Swadesh Darshan scheme is one among the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritized manner. Fifteen thematic circuits have been identified under this scheme, for development namely: North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit. Under this scheme the Government is focusing on development of quality infrastructure in the country with objective of providing better experience and facilities to the visitors on one hand and on other hand fostering the economic growth. The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 77 projects worth projects for Rs. 6131.88 Crore to 30 States and UTs.
Ministry of Defence
Programmes Under ‘Make’ Category
The status of the ‘Make’ programmes taken up by Ministry of Defence for Battlefield Management Systems , Tactical Communication Systems , Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle  is as under:-
- Battlefield Management Systems . The project has been foreclosed in November, 2018.
- Tactical Communication Systems .Two Development Agencies  have been shortlisted for prototype development.
- Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle . DAs could not be shortlisted as the financial and technical criteria were found to be subjective in selection process.
Since no ‘Make’ project has been sanctioned, the question of investment by private and public defence industry for development of technology for timely delivery of the above projects does not arise.
Defence procurements for the Indian Defence Forces is based on the operational needs and stated requirements to keep the Indian Defence Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore in Lok Sabha today.
SS/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes on importance of infrastructure development for growth and economy of renewable energy sector
Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said infrastructure development plays an important role in growth and economy of renewable energy sector in the country.Addressing CII’s Conference on Self Reliance for Renewable Energy manufacturing he said Government is making all efforts to expand the domestic manufacturing ecosystem to make the countryself reliant. He said over the last decade, India has made significant progress towards improving green energy access while increasing the integration of renewable energy.The Minister said India is already on track of reaching its goal of 175 gigawatt of installed renewable capacity by 2022. He said currently India stands at the 5th position for overall installed capacity with government supportive policies and initiatives and expressed confidence that country will even surpass the target of renewable energy of 450 giga watt by 2030.
Shri Gadkari said a number of highway development and expansion projects have been taken up that will considerably reduce travel time, enhance safety, efficiency and ease of transfer of goods and passenger vehicles traffic. He said 22 greenfield expressways are being developed and additional 8500 km expressway have been identified based on the national logistic masterplan to reduce the congestion on corridors and enhance logistic efficiency. The Minister added that 35 locations have been identified for the development of multimodal logistic parks to reduce the logistic cost.Shri Gadkari said his highest priority is without comprising the quality accepting new technologies to reduce the cost of construction.
Full Event link https://youtu.be/L91OjRmQ8M8
MJPS
(Visitor Counter : 615
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Dedicted Desk of Invest India for NER
It is proposed to set up a special dedicated desk of Invest India for North Eastern Region. The desk will take up investment targeting, promotion, facilitation and website development for North Eastern States.
The facilities that are proposed be extended to the NER are :–
- Information provision
- Targeting support
- Facilitation support
- State training and capacity building
- Creation and structuring of state investment teams
- Advisory for states for their investment summits/roundtables
- Investors targeting support
- Website
All the above activities will be done in close coordination with the State Governments.
The following activities have already been initiated: –
- A workshop on ‘Accelerating Investment and Industrial Development in the North East Region’ was organized at Guwahati on 30th November, 2019 with participation of senior officers from all the North Eastern States.
- A team within Invest India has been identified to help with the activities of the desk.
- Development of the promotional website/portal has been initiated. A project has been undertaken to identify two-three most prominent industrial clusters in each of the eight NE States.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah condoles the loss of lives due to lightning and heavy rains in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
“Deeply saddened by the loss of many precious lives due to lightning and heavy rains in Bihar and UP”: Shri Amit Shah
“Convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this disaster and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured”: Shri Amit Shah
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has condoled the loss of lives due to lightning and heavy rains in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. “Deeply saddened with the loss many precious lives due to lightning and heavy rains in Bihar and UP,” Shri Amit Shah said in a tweet.
The Union Home Minister said “Rescue and Relief Operations are in full swing in both the States”.
“My heartfelt condolences to families of the victims of this tragic disaster and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” said Shri Amit Shah.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 58.76 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 3.77 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs with 1.03 Crore doses in Pipeline
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
58,76,56,410
|
|
PIPELINE
|
|
1,03,39,970
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
3,77,09,391
More than 58.76 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category. Further, more than 1.03 Cr doses  are in the pipeline.
More than 3.77 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Suresh Prabhu chairs first meeting of think tank on framework for National Policy on E-commerce
(Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu speaking at the first meeting of think tank for national policy on e-commerce
Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, chaired the first meeting of the think tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce held on 24 April 2018. The meeting saw participation by senior officers of various ministries/ departments of the Government of India involved in different aspects of e-commerce, including by Secretaries’ of the Department of Commerce, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology;Chairperson of two regulatory bodies - Competition Commission of India and the TRAI; high level representatives from the industry bodies, e-commerce companies, telecommunication companies and IT companies; and independent experts.
The Think Tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce has been established recently by the Department of Commerce.It will provide a credible forum for an inclusive and fact-based dialogue leading to informed policy making, so that the country is adequately prepared to take advantage of the opportunities, and meet the challenges, that would arise from the next wave of advancements in the digital economy.
The Think Tank collectively deliberated on the challenges confronting India in the arena of the digital economy and e-commerce, with a view to developing a comprehensive and overarching national policy on e-commerce.Some of the issues that were discussed by the think tank included aspects of e-commerce and the digital economy like physical and digital infrastructure, the regulatory regime, taxation policy, data flows, server localisation, FDI, technology flows, skill development and trade-related aspects. Global developments on e-commerce and evolving appropriate national positions on the underlying issues, was another important dimension of the discussions of the think tank.
One of the key outcomes of the first meeting of the think tank was the decision to constitute a task force for preparing recommendations for India's national policy on e-commerce. The task force will be divided into various sub-groups, comprising representation from the Government of India, e-commerce industry and experts with domain knowledge.
The task force willfinalise its recommendations within six months.